Sensory Processing Disorder:
Signs and Symptoms Of SPD In Infants And Toddlers

The purpose of this "SPD Symptom Checklist For Infants and Toddlers" is to
help parents and professionals who interact with children become educated about
particular signs of sensory processing disorder in the youngest children and
babies.

It is not to be used as the absolute diagnostic criteria for labeling
children with sensory processing disorder. But rather, as an educational
tool and checklist for your own knowledge. Professionals who can diagnose this
disorder have their own tools in addition to checklists to observe and test for
SPD (formerly called SID or Sensory Integration Dysfunction).

As you go through this list, you may say,

"Wow, my child has so many of these characteristics/behaviors, he must
have a sensory processing disorder!!"

That MAY be true, and I want you to take it very seriously if you find a host
of these to be characteristic of your child. But, then use this as a guide to
speak with your doctor and an Occupational Therapist so you can clearly explain
why you think your child may need help.

Or, you may go through the list and say,

"No big deal, so my child has some of these behaviors/characteristics,
doesn't every child?"

Well, this may be true too and your child's behavior may fluctuate from day
to day.

What we need to be concerned with is WHICH symptoms your child shows,
how much these symptoms interfere with their or other's lives, and what
kind of impact it is having on their level of functioning. This will help
target diagnosis and treatment.

Early identification and understanding of this disorder is HUGE!

Please understand the "Five Caveats" that Carol Stock Kranowitz points out in
her book, The Out-of-Sync Child
about using a checklist such as this. She writes:

1. "The child with sensory dysfunction does not necessarily exhibit every
characteristic. Thus, the child with vestibular dysfunction may have poor
balance but good muscle tone."

2. "Sometimes the child will show characteristics of a dysfunction one day
but not the next. For instance, the child with proprioceptive problems may trip
over every bump in the pavement on Friday yet score every soccer goal on
Saturday. "Inconsistency is A hallmark of every neurological dysfunction."

3. "The child may exhibit characteristics of a particular dysfunction yet
not have that dysfunction. For example, the child who typically withdraws from
being touched may seem to be hypersensitive to tactile stimulation but may,
instead, have an emotional problem."

4. "The child may be both hypersensitive and hyposensitive. For instance,
the child may be extremely sensitive to light touch, jerking away from a soft
pat on the shoulder, while being rather indifferent to the deep pain of an
inoculation."

5. "Everyone has some sensory integration problems now and then, because
no one is well regulated all the time. All kinds of stimuli can temporarily
disrupt normal functioning of the brain, either by overloading it with, or by
depriving it of, sensory stimulation."

IF, you in fact check off many of these symptoms, an OT evaluation should
be considered. IF, in your gut, you know something just isn't right... listen to
it! To help you find an Occupational Therapist in your area, go to:
How To Find An Occupational Therapist For SPD

Take this checklist with you and go get an evaluation. We NEED to catch SPD
in the earliest years of life for the treatment to be the MOST effective; while
their nervous systems are still developing. The time is NOW... for you, your
child, and your family!

Again, this is NOT to be used to OFFICIALLY diagnose SPD, just to indicate
if further evaluation is needed.

SPD Symptom Checklist For Infants &Toddlers

__ Resists being held or cuddled

__ Cries and/or arches back when people try to hold him/her

__ Distressed by diaper changes

__ Distressed by baths and/or water splashing on him/her

__ Doesn't fall into a predictable sleep/wake pattern or cycle

__ Cries excessively throughout the day (more than a half hour or hour at a
time)

__ Doesn't smile often, appears “sad” or “uncomfortable” much of the time

__ Can not focus attention on play, caregiver, or toy long enough to interact
(for age level)

__ Wanders around aimlessly or engages in non-purposeful activities in
excess, i.e., spinning, rocking, staring at certain objects, etc... not
interested in play or doesn't use objects for purposeful play.

Related Resources

Sensory Stimulation For Infants - Why is sensory stimulation for
infants so critical to the normal development of our children? Check out this in
depth article and top recommended sensory products for infants, babies, and
toddlers.